A PENKETH man has returned home after conquering the highest marathon on earth and raising more than £2,000 for a charity close to his heart in the process.

Andy Hitchin marked his 50th birthday by taking on the annual Tensing-Hillary Everest marathon which includes an 11-day climb to Everest base camp at 17,598ft before running downhill over rough mountain trails.

The dad-of-two, who was raising money for Francis House Children’s Hospice after the cause supported family friend Kate Snape, admitted he was fortunate to complete it as several fell foul of difficult conditions.

He added: “I was lucky compared to some as several people were airlifted off the mountain with a variety of conditions including snow blindness and several fell during the race with broken fingers, arms, jaw and ribs and had to walk down after the marathon.

“Although mostly downhill, it’s a challenging route with the first nine miles in snow, ice and a lot of rocky and exposed sections of trail.”

Donate via justgiving.com/Andy-Hitchin.